A GP has been accused of electioneering after writing a letter to patients
warning they may be put at risk by the Government’s health reforms.

Dr Ian Campbell, of the Park House Centre in Nottingham, claimed changes designed to put doctors in charge of NHS spending would result in the “exact opposite”. And he wrote: “We are being asked to take risks with your health to save money.”

In 2010 Dr Campbell stood as the Labour candidate for the nearby seat of Newark. He lost to Patrick Mercer.

Yesterday Mr Mercer, a Conservative backbencher, said: “I think it is disingenuous of Dr Campbell not to mention the fact that not only is he chairman of the Newark Labour Party, but that of course such a letter can only help with any future political ambitions that he has.”

Dr Campbell responded by saying points raised in the letter were “not party political, but medical”.

He also pointed out that his surgery was not in the Newark constituency. It has been rumoured that Dr Campbell will stand for the Sherwood constituency in 2015. He said he had “not decided” whether to stand for parliament then.